Not all small towns in Italy are created equally, and no one makes that case as true as the charming Emilia Romagna town of Ferrara. Making for an easy day trip from either nearby Bologna, Venice, or even Milan, Ferrara is a UNESCO World Heritage protected city with Byzantine-influence, and offers a unique side of Italian small towns. It’s easy to get around, especially if your preferred method of transport is biking, as Ferrara is the most bike-friendly city in the entire country. If you only have a day here, which is plenty, here’s how you’ll want to spend it.
- Pro-tip: Don’t feel like planning? Book a guided walking tour of Ferrara here.
Enjoy Ferrara’s unique breads for breakfast
Ferrara is home to a seriously quirky-looking type of bread called Coppia Ferrarese. The twisted bread was first introduced to Ferrara in 1287, and is such a significant symbol of the city that in 2001, it became PGI-protected (protected geographical indicator), meaning, yes, you’ll be eating a law-protected pastry. The texture of Coppia Ferrarese is a bit dry and crunchy.
You’ll also want to try ciambella, a croissant-like circular bread. Naturally, ciambella is best enjoyed with an espresso. Additionally, you can go for pasticcio di maccheroni, a savory pasta with a gravy-like sauce, topped with puff pastry topped with powdered sugar. Albeit it’s a bit heavy for an early morning bite, but why not enjoy Ferrara’s three most iconic pastries in your singular day there? The best place to get a sampling of all of them is Pasticceria di Frignani.
Visit Este Castle
The most iconic site in town is Este Castle. If there’s one tour you’re going to want to take when in town, it’s here. The massive medieval castle is loaded with history that dates back way before Ferrara was even a part of Italy (it was originally under the House of Este until 1597). The castle is picture worthy, with its four corner towers that feel like stepping back into time.
Head to Palazzo Schifanoia
Your royalty time in Ferrara isn’t quite over yet. Next, you’re going to want to head to Palazzo Schifanoia, a Renaissance palace. Palazzo Schifanoia was built by the Este family during the time they ruled the city, and it was a place where nobles would go to “do away with boredom.” Imagine that; if only we all had a palace to kill our boredom.
Learn about the Jewish Ghetto of Ferrara
Ferrara has a dark history when it comes to the treatment of Jewish civilians. Instead of turning a blind eye on some of the darker sides of the city, dive right in and learn about it through this guided tour through Ghetto Ebraico, or the Jewish ghetto of Ferrara.
- Alternatively. you can take a Jewish tour of Ferrara, Modena, and Bologna altogether.
Grab lunch at Ferrara Store
It’s time for more regional cuisine! Emilia Romagna is known as one of the top culinary regions in the country, and Ferrara further drives the point. Ferrara Store is a great little restaurant serving up tons of classic dishes, but my personal favorite there is their lasagna. Far different from the lasagna you’d find in Bologna, the lasagna of Ferrara is made with root vegetables instead of thick layers of bechamel and beef ragu. At Ferrara Store, the top layer is extra crispy thanks to being broiled in the oven, and it’s filling without the feeling of being heavy.
Take a cooking class at Vergani Hotel Institute
Now that you’ve gotten a local taste of the dishes of Ferrara, take your best chance at making some. In full transparency, I am not the biggest fan of cooking classes abroad, but in Ferrara, I was particularly interested because of the unique bread of the city. At Vergani Hotel Institute, I learned how to make coppia Ferrarese, and their instructions were so clear that I was surprised at how quickly I got it. I also learned how to make another Ferrara staple, cappellacci di zucca (more on that later), a pumpkin stuffed pasta that is similar to the tortellini, but larger in size.
Rent a bike and ride around the city
You might be full from eating lasagna and pastries, so take a small break from eating and jump on a bike in the most bike friendly city in Italy. Yes, that’s right; Ferrara is the Amsterdam dupe in this situation. Note that many of the streets are cobblestone so you might be in for a little bit of a bumpy ride, but riding around on a bike is a great way to buzz past the Ferrara Cathedral, make pit stops in grocery stores, and do a nice mix of tourist and local activities.
Grab aperitivo in the Piazza Trento Trieste
Did you really visit an Italian town if you didn’t grab a spritz in a piazza? I would argue, no, no you didn’t. So that’s why, after your bike is safely stowed away, you’re going to do just that. Piazza Trento Trieste is a buzzy square where you’ll have a plethora of options for bars and restaurants to grab a drink and eat a few snacks at aperitivo.
Dinner at Hosteria Savonarola
Don’t eat TOO much at aperitivo, of course, because you’re about to eat your best meal in the city. Hosteria Savonarola was the restaurant everyone recommended to me in Ferrara, and I felt the strong energy of the eatery as soon as I stepped foot in the door. This spot is old school, and they’re serving up no frills traditional Ferrarese fare. The thing to get here is cappellacci di zucca (remember your cooking class?). This is a pumpkin-stuffed circular pasta that’s served in either a meaty ragu sauce or a butter and sage sauce. It’s great with both, but I highly recommend trying the meaty ragu for a sweet and savory surprise.
Grab a nightcap at the Guinness World Record’s most ancient wine bar in the world: Al Brindisi
Ferrara is indeed a historic town, so much so that it’s home to the world’s most ancient wine bar according to Guiness World Records. Al Brindisi is a small bar located in Ferrara, so before you head out for the day, take a little history lesson in the most fun way possible: through a glass of Italian vino.
- Address: Via Guglielmo degli Adelardi, 11, 44100 Ferrara FE, Italy
- NOTE: They are closed every Sunday and Monday, and all other days are open until midnight.
EXTRA: Spend the night!
If you’re interested in spending the night in Ferrara, I’d highly recommend Hotel Nazionale. I spent two nights here, and its central location was perfect that I was able to do all of the above within walking distance.
DISCLAIMER: I might make a small commission from some of the links throughout this article, but the price is the same for you. This helps keep my business running so I can continue to provide free travel tips!
DISCLAIMER II: Emilia Romagna tourism hosted me in Ferrara for two nightsÂ